Black Rockfish

Sebastes melanops

Body color: Black on back, becoming gray mottled w/ black on sides, whitish ventrally; pelvic fins light, other fins dark. (Also see above underwater photo.)

Peritoneum color: light     Shape between eyes: convex

Counts: D:XIII-XIV,13-16, Ar:7-9, P1:18-20, GR:32-39, LLp:46-55, LLs:50-55, V:26

Occurence: Aleutian Islands - Southern California

Depth: 366 meters     Size: 63 cm     Species code: 30330

Similar species: Blue RF - mouth smaller, maxilla extends anterior to midorbit; eye smaller; anal-fin margin perpendicular; head spine count differs. Dusky RF - body color gray to greenish brown in Light Dusky RF, uniform dark onto belly in Dark Dusky RF; anal-fin margin perpendicular; symphyseal knob present; mandibular pores evident (reduced in Black RF); head spines typically absent. Yellowtail RF - body color brassy; fins washed w/ yellow; anal-fin margin perpendicular; head spine count differs. Olive RF - body color olive-brown; fins olive to yellow; head spine count differs; anal-fin margin perpendicular.

Back to Group